The Ultimate Old-School Hip Hop Christmas Playlist
Nothing hits harder than the classics. From Run-D.M.C.'s 'Christmas in Hollis' to Kurtis Blow, this is the essential holiday playlist.
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Holiday music plays everywhere. Most of it is boring. You need a better soundtrack. Hip Hop has its own holiday classics. Add these tracks to your playlist.
Most of the songs below are available on Amazon Music, so you can queue them up or add them to a playlist while you read.
If you're in a rush, start with these three must-play tracks:
- Run-D.M.C. - "Christmas in Hollis"
- Kurtis Blow - "Christmas Rappin'"
- Snoop Dogg - "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto"
1. Run-D.M.C. - "Christmas in Hollis"
Run-D.M.C. - Christmas in Hollis
The essential Hip Hop Christmas anthem
This is the king of Christmas rap songs. It tells a great story, samples "Back Door Santa," and is the perfect way to start the party.
Play "Christmas in Hollis" on Amazon Music.
2. Kurtis Blow - "Christmas Rappin'"
Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin'
The original rap Christmas record
This is the original. Kurtis Blow dropped this in 1979 as one of the first major rap Christmas records. The storytelling is classic.
Get the classic Kurtis Blow album featuring "Christmas Rappin'" on Amazon.
3. Snoop Dogg - "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto"
Snoop Dogg - Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto
West Coast holiday G-funk energy
Snoop brings a West Coast vibe to the holiday. This track from the "Christmas on Death Row" album adds smooth energy to your celebration.
Grab the "Christmas on Death Row" album featuring Snoop Dogg on Amazon.
4. Ghostface Killah - "Ghostface X-Mas"
Ghostface Killah - Ghostface X-Mas
A Wu-Tang twist on the holidays
Ghostface adds his unique style to the season. This track from his compilation album "GhostDeini The Great" shows a different side of the holiday.
Check out the "GhostDeini The Great" compilation featuring "Ghostface X-Mas" on Amazon.
These songs provide a better holiday vibe. Add them to your rotation. Your friends will thank you.
Keep Shopping
If you want to turn this playlist into gifts under the tree, keep going:
- Check out 12 Days of Drip: A Hip Hop Holiday Gift Guide for gear, tech, and style ideas.
- Build a reading stack with 25 Hip Hop Books That Make Strong Holiday Gifts.
- Take the music off the screen and onto wax with Essential Hip Hop Vinyl Records for Your Crate.
- Add collectible fun under the tree with Hip Hop Action Figures That Turn Shelves into Mini Stages.
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